The Kenyan Ministry of Health is investigating the death of an expectant mother at St. Elizabeth Mukumu Mission Hospital in Kakamega County, following allegations of medical negligence. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced , that a team comprised of members from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and the Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, has been dispatched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.
The investigation comes after Grace Wambui Misigo, admitted to the hospital on , died during labor. Family members allege that nurses on duty physically assaulted her while attempting to force a vaginal delivery despite profuse bleeding. According to Grace Agara, the deceased’s sister-in-law, “Their job was just to beat her, telling her to push the baby out. She just told them ‘I’m leaving my children and I’m dying’…a little while later, I heard them calling each other, the doctors came and they were covered in blood everywhere.”
Daura Adai, the deceased’s brother-in-law, further stated that she sustained injuries, including to her chest and ribs, and that her condition appeared critical while she was still alive. “She was hit in the chest and ribs…in fact, we knew she was dead while there, because blood was all over the place. There’s a lot of negligence in this hospital. My sister-in-law could not have died,” he said.
The family reports that medical staff eventually recommended a Cesarean section, but it was deemed too late as both Grace and her child had already died. An autopsy report confirmed the cause of death as a rupture of body organs, specifically both ribs and the uterus.
The Ministry of Health’s investigation will focus on determining the causes of the death, including assessing potential factors such as blood loss, the availability of healthcare workers, and any instances of negligence. CS Duale stated, “We are sending a team to go and investigate the whole ecosystem of Mukumu hospital, [on] why mothers are dying. We must make sure that no mother dies and no child dies.”
This incident occurs as the Ministry of Health has recently launched the National Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) steering committee. The committee’s goal is to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths. During the launch, CS Duale emphasized the importance of preventing any loss of life during childbirth, stating, “Every woman matters. Every newborn matters. And every preventable death must be prevented.” He added that the committee will play a pivotal role in transforming childbirth by protecting the lives of every woman and child.
The Ministry also plans to establish a hotline number for citizens to report suspected negligence in healthcare facilities nationwide. This initiative aims to improve accountability and transparency within the Kenyan healthcare system.
The case at Mukumu Mission Hospital highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring safe maternal healthcare in Kenya. Maternal mortality remains a significant public health concern, and investigations into preventable deaths are crucial for identifying systemic issues and implementing effective solutions. The MPDSR committee and the planned hotline represent steps towards strengthening maternal healthcare and improving outcomes for women and newborns across the country.
Separately, concerns regarding healthcare quality and patient safety have been raised at other facilities. , the Board of Management at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital refuted allegations by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino that expectant mothers were delivering on the floor, citing misleading claims and a lack of respect for healthcare workers. The Board demanded an apology from the MP. This follows claims of a “death trap” environment, lack of drugs, and disrespectful treatment of patients at the hospital.
reports from Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital indicate issues with unexplained billing and potential deaths, as highlighted on Facebook. These incidents underscore the need for comprehensive oversight and quality improvement measures across all healthcare facilities in Kenya.
The Ministry of Health’s commitment to investigating maternal deaths and improving healthcare quality is a critical step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of women and newborns. The outcomes of the investigation at Mukumu Mission Hospital, along with the implementation of the MPDSR committee and the establishment of a reporting hotline, will be closely watched as indicators of progress in addressing these vital public health concerns.
